Standing up for what’s right. Caring for other people. Being someone who people trust and count on. Listening to everyone and being open to other perspectives.
These are some of the thoughtful insights on leadership that John Jay Middle School’s new student ambassadors shared at their first meeting. The circle included more than 20 studens—two from each academic team.
The afterschool kickoff, led by Assistant Principal Mike Pompa, introduced the leadership initiative. He told the students that they would be a bridge betweenthe student body and the school’s administration. The program is also an activation of the District’s newly adapted Vision 2030: Empowering All.
“2030 Vision is our commitment to you,” Assistant Principal Pompa said to the students. “it’s what we aspire to be.” He told the ambassadors that Vision 2030 identifies six attributes—called Profile of a Learner—as keys to student success. Courageous & Empowered Leaders, one of the attributes, would be their starting point.
After discussing what leadership looks like, sounds like and feels like, Pompa challenged the ambassadors to be leadership sleuths and identify moments of mentorship, consensus building and positive influence in their classroom and throughout the school building.
The detectives would also develop as journalists. "You’ll work with your teachers and share what you discover on your team’s webpage," said Assistant Principal Pompa.